Method of permitting group access to electronically stored images and transaction card used in the method

ABSTRACT

A method of storing and viewing a collection of digital images includes the steps of: providing a plurality of users with a unique user ID associated with a URL identifying a network photoservice provider; providing each one of the plurality of users with a separate password to the unique user ID; at least one of the plurality of users transferring a set of digital images to the unique user ID employing their separate passwords; and viewing the images located at the unique user ID using the separate password.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 09/470,814 filed Dec. 22,1999.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to digital image generation, storage andretrieval, and more particularly to a method for enabling a group ofindividuals to generate and share a collection of digital images.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Photographic services including image digitization, digital imagestorage and network access to digital image files and distribution ofdigital image files are currently provided by on-line photocenters suchas the KODAK PhotoNet™ Online service available on the Internet athttp://kodak.photonet.com. To use this system, the photographer checks abox on a photofinishing order envelope indicating she would like toreceive this service. The photofinisher processes the film, scans thefilm to produce digital images, and uploads the digital images to theon-line photocenter via an FTP (file transfer protocol) site through anInternet server. The on-line photocenter receives the digital images andstores them as image files in a mass storage device such as a Sun ultra250 mass storage hard drive connected to an Internet server.

The on-line photocenter assigns the image file a roll ID number, and anOwnerKey which functions as a location indicator and password so thatthe photographer can access the image file over the Internet, and sendsthe roll ID number and OwnerKey back to the photofinisher. Thephotofinisher prints a receipt listing the roll ID number, and anOwnerKey and returns the receipt along with the printed photographs tothe photographer.

The photographer then access the on-line photocenter from an Internetcapable personal computer, supplying the on-line photocenter with here-mail address, personal password, roll ID number and OwnerKey. Theon-line photocenter then allows her access to the stored images, fromwhich she can download the images to the personal computer, authorizeother people's access to the digital images by providing their e-mailaddresses to the on-line photocenter, order reprints, specialtyproducts, digitally manipulate images, and perform other functions. Itwill be readily appreciated that the entry of so many codes andaddresses complicates the use of the services provided by the on-linephotocenter.

Special events such as family reunions weddings and amateur sportingevents (e.g. little league) typically have multiple photographers withcommon interests capturing photographs at the event. Current methods ofsharing the images captured at the event include making multiple printsfrom each roll of exposed film and using either personal contact or thepostal system to share the pictures. If an on-line photocenter is usedto share the images, individual users need to obtain each others e-mailaddresses and then access the on-line photocenter and authorize eachother's access to the image files. Each user at the event needs toperform this procedure and all the images taken at the event would bedispersed over multiple locations at the on-line photocenter. Anadditional problem occurs when a photographer does not wish to share allof the images captured on a roll of film, for example because some ofthe images are from another event, are personal, or are inappropriatefor sharing.

There is an additional need for photographers who use digital cameras toparticipate in the same system. Currently in the on-line photocenters, auser can purchase on-line storage space for the equivalent of a roll offilm and then upload digital images from their own computer. However,these images are still dispersed and subject to the problems ofconnecting groups of users that have experienced a common event.

Furthermore, consumer photographers who are not connected to theInternet can't participate within the existing on-line photocenterstructure. There is a need to provide these unconnected users with a wayto share and print the pictures of the event they participated inwithout causing them to sit with a connected user and manually keeptrack of products purchased and the expenses incurred.

There is a need therefore for an improved method to conveniently enablea group of photographers to generate and share a file of digital imageson the Internet.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a method for storingand viewing a collection of digital images, comprising the steps of:

-   -   a) providing a plurality of users with a unique user ID        associated with a URL identifying a network photoservice        provider;    -   b) providing each one of the plurality of users with a separate        password to the unique user ID;    -   c) at least one of the plurality of users transferring a set of        digital images to the unique user ID employing their separate        passwords; and    -   d) viewing the images located at the unique user ID using the        separate password.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a method ofaccessing a collection of digital images stored at an event share memorystorage location at a network service provider among a plurality ofusers without the need for said service provider or any one of saidplurality of users having to notify any of the others in the group ofsaid plurality of users, comprising the steps of:

-   -   a) registering an event with said network photo service        provider;    -   b) assigning an event specific URL to the registered event which        identifies said share image memory location;    -   c) transferring a set of digital images to the event specific        URL;    -   d) providing to said plurality of users access a transaction        card bearing the event specific URL; and    -   e) employing the event specific URL to access the images among        said group of users.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a transaction card according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 shows the transaction card of FIG. 1 with the adhesive labelremoved to reveal the user ID number and password, the adhesive labelshown applied to a film cartridge and a one time use camera;

FIG. 3 shows a front and back view of an alternative embodiment of thetransaction card of the present invention;

FIG. 4 shows a display rack having sealed packs containing sets ofpreprinted transaction cards;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a network system useful in performingthe method of the present invention;

FIG. 6 a is a flow chart showing the steps in the method that an eventhost completes according to the present invention;

FIG. 6 b is a flow chart showing the steps in the method that an eventparticipant completes according to the present invention;

FIG. 7 is flow chart showing the steps in the method that aphotofinisher completes according to the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing the steps of a method for providingprofessional images of an event for sale with a consumer photo databaseof the event according to the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing the steps in an alternative method ofconnecting a professional image database containing images for sale ofan event to a consumer database built according to the presentinvention;

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the connection of an electroniccamera user to a network photoservice provider for sharing images ofevent according to the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a flow chart showing the steps in the method of uploadingimages from a digital camera to a network photo service provider hostingimages from an event according to the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a mail-in registration card according to the presentinvention;

FIG. 13 a is an index print for selecting images from an event without acomputer according to the present invention;

FIG. 13 b is a mailing form of the index print of FIG. 13 a for mailingback to a fulfillment center for receiving printed images according tothe present invention;

FIG. 14 is a flow chart showing the steps in the method of the networkphotoservice provider 60 soliciting printed image sales from eventparticipants that do not have access to Internet 50;

FIG. 15 shows a package of one time use cameras preconfigured to acommon address with a network photo service provider according to thepresent invention;

FIG. 16 show a tear off section of packaging with a bar code from a onetime use camera according to the present invention;

FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram showing a system for practicing analternative embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 18 shows a transaction card according to an alternative embodimentof the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a transaction card 10 is shown. Printed onone side of transaction card 10 is a Universal Resource Locator (URL)12, a user ID 14, and instructions 16. Removably adhered to thetransaction card 10 is an adhesive label 18 which includes a bar code 20for encoding the URL 12, user ID 14, and a password 22. Adhesive label18 obscures a human readable version of password 22 until the adhesivelabel 18 is removed for attachment to a film cartridge 24 or a one timeuse camera 26. It should be apparent to one skilled in the art thatinstructions 16 could be printed on a protective translucent plasticoverwrap (not shown) for each card and will be considered within thescope of the invention.

In FIG. 3, an alternative embodiment of transaction card 10 is shownwith magnetic stripe 28 wherein URL 12, user ID 14 and password 22 areencoded, for example on the back of the card. Instructions 16, user ID14 and URL 12 are printed on the front of transaction card 10 in humanreadable form. In this embodiment, the information on magnetic stripe 28causes adhesive label 18 to be printed for application on the filmcartridge 24 or one time use camera 26.

A further embodiment using the structure of FIG. 3 is also possiblewhere the above-referenced information on magnetic stripe 28 is scannedat a retail terminal such as a Kodak Picture Center™ and the adhesivelabel 18 is printed by a printer 208 associated with the retail terminal206. The printed adhesive label 18 is then applied to photoprocessingenvelope 210 which will be discussed further with respect to FIG. 17below.

According to a still further embodiment, the transaction card 10 may beprovided by an event sponsor, such as a NASCAR or NBA event, and includeprinted advertising on the face of the transaction card 10. The URL 12may contain event specific digital images provided by the sponsor forviewing and use by event participants. It is anticipated that the eventsponsors would provide the cards to event participants for free or as apremium for admission to the event. The URL 12 contains linkage to thesponsors web site. All of the images that are submitted forphotoprocessing with the label 18 will be viewable by all of theparticipants. Alternatively, the sponsor may make all of the imagesavailable for viewing by the general public via the sponsors web site.

Continuing on with FIG. 4, a package 30 of transaction cards 10 is shownas part of display rack 32. Each package 30 of transaction cards 10contains multiple transaction cards 10 each transaction card 10 withinthe package 30 of transaction cards 10 containing the same user ID 14but distinct passwords 22. After purchasing the package 30 oftransaction cards 10, the event host (purchaser of the package 30)distributes the transaction cards 10 to event participants.

Referring to FIG. 5, a network system useful in performing the method ofthe present invention will be described. A film cartridge 24 or aone-time use camera 26 having an adhesive label 18 is delivered to aphotofinisher 34. The photofinisher includes a film preparation station36, a film processor 38, a film scanner 40, a label scanner 42, acomputer 44 for controlling the photofinishing operation, a memory 46for storing digital images and user ID information and a web server 48.

The adhesive label 18 is scanned in the label scanner 42, and the filmis developed in the film processor 38 and scanned in film scanner 40 toproduce digital images from the images recorded on the film. The digitalimages are stored in memory 46 along with the associated user ID 14information. The contents of memory 46 are made available on theInternet 50 via web server 48.

The card manufacturer 52 that made the transaction cards 10 includes adatabase 54 connected to a web server 56 by a computer 58. The database54 contains a list of user ID numbers 14 and associated passwords 22(see FIG. 2).

A networked photoservice provider 60 includes a web server 62, and acomputer 64, which contains a customer database 66 that points to imagesstored in an image database 68. Digital images and associated customerID information are downloaded from the memory 46 in the photofinisher 34to the customer and image databases 66 and 68 respectively in thenetwork photoservice provider 60.

When a user desires to access digital images that were stored by himselfor others at the event, he employs user workstation 70 via a web server72 at an Internet service provider 74 using the user ID 14 and password22 to address the web server 62 and gain access through the customerdatabase 66 using the password 22 to access the images stored ondatabase 68.

A fulfillment center 76 includes a web server 78, a job queue memorybuffer 80 and a digital output device 82, such as an ink jet printer, CDwriter, floppy disc writer, digital photographic printer, etc. If thecustomer desires a print 84, an article such as a CD 86, prints, posterprints, t-shirts, CD's, floppy discs, album pages, greeting cards,digital file downloading, extended image storage, mugs, posting to a webpage, postage stamps, masks, sticker prints, and trading cards, bearingthe image (not shown), the customer can order the print or article viathe Internet using a digital order form (not shown) provided by thenetwork photoservice provider 60. The network photoservice provider 60receives the order and forwards it via the Internet 50 to thefulfillment center 76. The fulfillment center 76, retrieves therequested digital images from the network photoservice provider 60,produces the ordered print or article and sends it to an addresssupplied by the customer.

Optionally, a professional photo studio 88 having a studio digital imagework station 90 connected to professional film scanner 92, such as aKodak RFS2035 Professional film scanner, a high resolution professionaldigital image database 94 is connected to the network photoserviceprovider 60 and image fulfillment center 76. A photographer from theprofessional studio 88 may participate in the event and capture imagesusing conventional or electronic cameras (not shown). The imagescaptured by the professional are stored in database 94. If the imagesare captured on conventional film, they are developed and scanned byscanner 92. If they are captured on an electronic camera, they aredownloaded to database 94 in a known manner.

Referring to FIGS. 6 a-b, the operation of the system according to thepresent invention will now be described. As shown in FIG. 6 a, the eventhost purchases (96) a package 30 of transaction cards 10. The host handsout the cards (98) to the photographers at the event. At some pointbefore or after the event, the event host registers (100) over theInternet 50 with the network photo service provider 60 by filling out aregistration form provided on-line by the network photoservice provider60.

Turning to FIG. 6 b, a photographer who received a transaction card 10at the event, applies (102) the adhesive label 18 to his film 24 or onetime use camera 26, and drops off (104) the film 24 or one time usecamera 26 at the photofinisher 34. The photofinisher 34 inputs the URL12 and user ID 14 into the photofinishing system by scanning the barcode 20 from the adhesive label 18. Alternatively, the URL 12 and userID 14 can be carried on the transaction card 10 by a magnetic stripe 28as shown in FIG. 3, which is scanned by a magnetic card reader 204 (SeeFIG. 17) located at a film drop off location. An example of a film dropoff location which integrates a retail terminal 206 with a magnetic cardreader 204 is the Kodak Picture center. A label is printed having theURL 12 and the user ID 14 and the label is attached to a photofinishingenvelope 210.

After the film has been developed, the photographer picks up (106) theprints and processed film. By the time the prints are ready, thephotographer can connect (108) to the network photoservice provider 60using the user ID 14 and password 22 on the transaction card 10 toselect the images that are to be shared with the other photographers atthe event. The photographer reviews the images displayed on the monitorof user workstation 70 and indicates the images that he desires to sharewith the others, for example, by checking a box associated with eachimage. Alternatively, he could check a single box indicating that hewishes to share all of the images.

After the images that will be shared have been selected by theparticipants, they can view each others selected digital images (110),(both his and others at the event), that were captured at the event, andselect images for printing (112) and order reprints and other articles.In the event that a user fails to designate digital images for access toall cardholders within a predetermined period of time, access may begranted by the network photoservice provider 60 to all cardholders toall digital images stored by the user. Taking action after apredetermined time period is function that can be provided by computer64 of the network photoservice provider 60 as is known the computer art.

Alternatively, the photographer can contact the network photoserviceprovider 60 prior to receiving his prints to see if the images areavailable. The photographer can also employ his user ID 14 and password22 to track the progress of his photofinishing order, since the link tothe user ID 14 is established at the photofinisher 34 and can be madeavailable to the network photo service provider 60 as soon as theadhesive label 18 is scanned. All other services, such as retrieving alow resolution digital image that are normally provided by networkphotoservice providers 60 are also available to the photographer withrespect to all of the images taken at the event.

Referring to FIG. 7, the steps in the method that a photofinisher 34completes according to the present invention will be described. Thephotofinisher 34 associates a twin check number (114) with the user ID14 that was scanned from the adhesive label 18 attached to filmcartridge 24 or the magnetic stripe 28 on the transaction card 10. Thetwin check, which is a sequential number, is attached (116) to the filmstrip and the photofinishing envelope 210. The film is then processed(118), scanned (120), and the twin check code is read and the user ID 14is associated (122) with the digital image files. The digital imagefiles and associated user ID 14 are temporarily stored (124) in memory46 and subsequently transferred (126) to the image database 68 at thenetwork photoservice provider 60.

Referring to FIG. 8, the steps in the method of uploading images from aprofessional image database 94 containing images of an event to aconsumer database built according to the present invention will bedescribed. A professional photographer, who has attended the event andreceived a transaction card 10 or copied the URL 12 from a transactioncard 10, establishes a remote connection (128) to the network serviceprovider 60. The network photoservice provider 60 requests aprofessional identification (Pro ID) (130) indicating that theprofessional photographer has been previously associated with thenetwork photoservice provider 60. If the professional does not have aPro ID, the network service provider 60 registers (132) the professionalphotographer. Otherwise, the professional enters his Pro ID (134),enters the event URL 12 (136) from the transaction card 10, and uploads(138) low resolution image files from professional image database 94 fordisplay in the area of the URL 12 reserved for digital images selectedto be shared. After completing the upload process (138), theprofessional photographer disconnects (140) from the networkphotoservice provider 60.

It should be noted that the effect of registration (132) permits thedefinition of the electronic funds transfer agreement for distributionof proceeds from the sale or use of images uploaded and originating fromthe professional image database 94. In a manner well understood in theelectronic commerce art, brokerage fees are a form of revenue sharingwhere the network photoservice provider 60 collects a percentage of therevenue associated with a user's selection of a professional image toprint for example before distributing the balance of the incurred fee tothe professional photographer who has registered with the networkphotoservice provider 60.

Furthermore, it will be understood that fulfillment center 76 willaccess the URL of the professional image database 94 to download theappropriate high resolution digital image necessary for orderfulfillment correlating to the user selected low resolution imageresident at the network photoservice provider 60. It should be obviousto one skilled in the art that an event participant seeking fulfillmentof an order including both consumer shared images and images from theprofessional image database 94 conducts only one distinct electronictransaction in the method of FIG. 8.

Referring to FIG. 9, the steps in an alternative method of connecting aprofessional image database 94 containing images for sale of an event toa consumer database built according to the present invention will bedescribed. A professional photographer who has attended the event andreceived a transaction card 10 or copied the URL 12 from a transactioncard 10, establishes a remote connection (142) to the network serviceprovider 60. The network service provider 60 requests a Pro ID (144)indicating that the professional photographer has been previouslyassociated with the network photoservice provider 60. If theprofessional does not have a Pro ID, the network service provider 60registers (146) the professional photographer. Otherwise, theprofessional enters his Pro ID (148), enters the event URL 12 (150) fromthe transaction card, and enters (152) the URL for his professionalimage database 94 before disconnecting (154) from network photoserviceprovider 60.

It should be noted that the effect of registration permits sharing ofrevenue associated with the sale or use of professional images from theprofessional image database 94. In operation, a user connecting withuser workstation 70 to network photoservice provider 60 via Internetservice provider 74 and Internet 50 will see an active link from theregistered professional photographer which will transfer the user to theURL of the professional image database 94. In a manner well understoodin the electronic commerce art, sites (URLs) that transfer users whosubsequently purchase items at URL of the professional image database 94earn a commission on the revenue generated by the transferred user. Inthis case, the professional photographer incurs the responsibility totrack the path of users purchasing images to reimburse the transferringsite such as the network photoservice provider 60. The user alsocompletes a distinct electronic transaction with the professionalphotographer in addition to any electronic transaction conducted withthe network photoservice provider.

Referring to FIG. 10, a block diagram shows the connection of a userwith an electronic camera 156 to a network photoservice provider 60 forsharing images of event captured electronically according to the presentinvention. It will be understood that electronic camera 156 will includethose cameras that at least electronically capture an image of a scenewithout the use of chemical amplification of incident light as achievedby silver halide based films.

The connection of the electronic camera 156 to user workstation 70 iswell known in the art. For example, the DC210 camera manufactured by theEastman Kodak Co. allows the user to extract a removable memory card(not shown) for insertion into user workstation 70. Alternatively,cables for transferring serial data streams in an RS-232 fashion betweenelectronic cameras 156 and user workstation 70 are also well known. Thisestablished protocol is also well know with wireless serialtransmissions involving the use of infrared light or radio frequencies(RF).

It will be understood that user workstation 70 can include a scanner(not shown) of the flatbed type and/or the film type where the user canprovide digital image files without the need of photofinisher 34.Furthermore, providing these digital images files from devices thatreadily convert analog images to digital image files are consideredwithin the scope of this invention.

Continuing on with FIG. 10, a user connects to the network photoserviceprovider 60 through ISP 74 and Internet 50 and after establishing aconnection, enters the user ID 14 and password 22 from transaction card10. Following validation of the user ID 14 and password 22, digitalimage files transferred to user workstation 70 are uploaded to theshared image area of URL 12 of network photoservice provider 60. Networkphotoservice provider 60 must then create a low resolution file forviewing and selecting within the shared image area of URL 12. Sinceuploading is a selection process, there is no need for furtherinvolvement of a user supplying digital image files directly from a userworkstation 70. Such a user begins creating an order from imagesavailable in the shared image area of URL 12 immediately after uploadinghis digital image files.

Referring now to FIG. 11, a flow chart shows the steps in the method ofuploading images from a user workstation 70 to a network photo serviceprovider hosting images from an event according to the presentinvention. A user wishing to upload images begins by establishing aremote connection (158) to the network service provider 60. The networkphotoservice provider 60 requests a user ID 14 and password 22 tovalidate the connection to the event which the user complies with (160).The user is then prompted (162) to see if the images to be uploaded arefrom a scanner or an electronic camera. If the images to be uploaded arefrom a scanner the user is prompted (166) to identify and upload theimage. Upon completion of the upload, the user is again prompted (170)if there is another image to upload and the sequence begins again untilall images have been uploaded successfully. When the image is notsourced from a scanner, the system prompts (164) the user to select thecamera model used to capture the image with. This allows the system toanticipate the file format to be uploaded and make any adjustments tothe image for presenting in the shared image area of URL 12. Once thecamera has been selected, the upload process begins (168) by identifyingand uploading a specific image. Upon successful upload completion, theuser is prompted (172) to see if there is another image to upload andthe sequence repeats itself until all images are successfully uploaded.The user has the option to proceed to the shared image area to constructan order from the shared images or disconnect (174) from networkphotoservice provider 60.

Turning now to FIG. 12, an event registration card 176 is shown forpermitting the sharing of images from the shared image area of URL 12with users who do not have access to remote electronic connections orthe Internet 50. Event registration card 176 includes at least theaddress 180 of the network photoservice provider 60, first class meteredpostage 178, registrant address 182 to be filled out by the registrant,and barcode 20 which has encoded the URL12 and user ID 14. Eventregistration cards can be included in the pack 30 of transaction cards10 to accommodate those event participants who don't have access to theInternet 50. Once the event registration card 176 is received by thenetwork photoservice provider 60, the event participant will receiveindex prints 184 discussed further with respect to FIG. 13 using amethod according to the description of FIG. 14.

In FIG. 13 a, the front view of an index print 184 is shown forselecting images 214 with selection boxes 216 from an event associatedwith URL 12 and User ID 14 without the aid of a user workstation 70connected to the network photoservice provider 60. The index print 184is received in the mail by an event participant who has registered withthe network photoservice provider 60 by mailing in the eventregistration card 176. Index print 184 includes an event title 186 thatfurther includes any photographer information that is input at the timethe specific event photographer connects to the URL 12 and makes hisselections to share with the other event participants. A registeredevent participant receives index print 184, marks the selection boxes216 indicating those which are desirable to print, and providesinformation in payment field 220. Furthermore, index print 184 haspreprinted fold lines 212 which creates a mailing form shown in FIG. 13b that includes prepaid return postage 188, the address 218 of thefulfillment center 76, the registrant address 182, and the bar code 20which can be automatically read and fulfilled when returned to thefulfillment center 76. Automatic fulfillment is a scanning process thatidentifies the marked selection boxes 216 and the URL 12 and user ID 14which connects the fulfillment center 76 to the network photoserviceprovider 60. Form scanning processes are well known in the art of orderfulfillment with an example of such a technique being used by the BMGMusic service to fulfill orders for tapes or compact discs.Alternatively the indication of the images to be printed or otherphotoservices to be provided can be communicated by telephone to thephotoservice provider or fulfillment center and indicating thephotoservices desired via voice or touchtone response to a recordedprogram. The marked index print may also be faxed to the photoserviceprovider or fulfillment center.

Turning to FIG. 14, a flow chart shows the steps of the method of thenetwork photoservice provider 60 in coordination with fulfillment center76 soliciting print sales from event participants that do not haveaccess to Internet 50. This is accomplished by the registration (190) ofsuch event participants upon receiving the event registration card 176at the network photoservice provider 60. The event participant'sregistration information is entered into a database in a standardfashion with a relationship created to the event associated with URL 12.As film cartridges 24 or one time use cameras 26 that were used at theevent are dropped off with photofinisher 34, they get scanned to URL 12and user ID 14 as defined by the transaction card 10 of eachparticipant. Once the participant has selected images to be shared, thesystem is triggered (192) to create a new index print 184 and mail it(194) to the registered event participants without Internet 50 access.The index print 184 is mailed back (196) to the fulfillment center 76which in coordination with the network photoservice provider 60 fulfillsthe order (198) from the images stored in the shared image area of URL12.

As shown in FIG. 15, a package 200 of one time use cameras 26 is shownwhich are preconfigured to a common URL 12 with a network photo serviceprovider 60 according to the present invention. The bar code 20 whichencodes the user ID 14 and URL 12 is printed on the outer packagecomponent of one time use camera 26. This arrangement provides analternative effective arrangement to affixing the bar code 20 as alabel.

Turning to FIG. 16, a tear off section 202 of the outer packagecomponent of the one time use camera 26 of FIG. 15 is shown. In thisarrangement, the tear off section 202 is kept by the customer as areceipt with the instructions to access his images at URL 12 and user ID14 with password 22.

FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram showing a system for practicing analternative embodiment of the present invention. According to thisembodiment, the magnetic stripe 28 discussed with reference to FIG. 3 isscanned by a magnetic card reader 204. The URL 12 and user ID 14 areread from the magnetic stripe 28 and input into a retail terminal 206.The retail terminal 206 drives printer 208 to print an adhesive label 18with a bar code 20 containing the URL 12 and the user ID 14. The label18 is affixed to processing envelope 210 for receiving the filmcartridge 24. Alternatively, printer 208 can print directly onto theprocessing envelope 210.

FIG. 18 shows an alternative embodiment of a transaction card accordingto an alternative embodiment of the present invention having more thanone removable adhesive label 18 on the card such that adhesive labelsfor more than one roll of film can be scanned to the same user ID 14 andpassword 22 at URL 12. Such a transaction card 10 can be used by anindividual user to store at a single location, images obtained frommultiple rolls of film over a period of time.

The invention has been described in detail with particular reference tocertain preferred embodiments thereof, but it will be understood thatvariations and modifications can be effected within the spirit and scopeof the invention. 10 transaction card 12 universal resource locator(URL) 14 user ID 16 instructions 18 adhesive label 20 bar code 22password 24 film cartridge 26 one time use camera 28 magnetic stripe 30package 32 display rack 34 photofinisher 36 film preparation station 38film processor 40 film scanner 42 label scanner 44 computer 46 memory 48web server 50 Internet 52 card manufacturer 54 database 56 web server 58computer 60 network photoservice provider 62 web server 64 computer 66customer database 68 image database 70 user workstation 72 web server 74Internet service provider 76 fulfillment center 78 web server 80 jobqueue 82 digital output producer 84 prints 86 compact discs (CDs) 88professional photo studio 90 studio workstation 92 professional filmscanner 94 pro image database 96 purchase cards step 98 hand out cardsstep 100 register event host step 102 application step 104 drop off filmstep 106 pick up prints step 108 connect to network step 110 view otherspictures step 112 order reprints step 114 associate twin check numberstep 116 attach twin check step 118 process film step 120 scan film step122 link twin check to image files step 124 store image files and userID step 126 transfer image files step 128 establish remote connectionstep 130 request Pro ID step 132 register Pro ID step 134 enter Pro IDstep 136 enter event URL step 138 upload images step 140 disconnect fromnetwork step 142 establish remote connection step 144 request Pro IDstep 146 register Pro ID step 148 enter Pro ID step 150 enter event URLstep 152 enter pro image data base URL step 154 disconnect step 156electronic camera 158 establish remote connection step 160 enter user IDand password step 162 prompt to see if images are available step 164select camera model step 166 upload images step 168 begin upload processstep 170 check for additional image step 172 check for additional imagestep 174 disconnect step 176 event registration card 178 first classmetered postage 180 address 182 registrant address 184 index print 186title 188 first class return postage 190 registration step 192 createnew index print step 194 mailing step 196 return mail step 198 fulfillorder step 200 package 202 tear off section 204 magnetic card reader 206retail terminal 208 printer 210 photoprocessing envelope 212 fold line214 images 216 selection boxes 218 address 220 payment field

1. A method of storing and viewing a collection of digital images,comprising the steps of: a) providing a plurality of users with a uniqueuser ID associated with a URL identifying a network photoserviceprovider; b) providing each one of the plurality of users with aseparate password to the unique user ID; c) at least one of theplurality of users transferring a set of digital images to the uniqueuser ID employing their separate passwords; and d) viewing the imageslocated at the unique user ID using the separate password.
 2. The methodof claim 1, wherein the digital images transferred to the unique user IDare relatively high resolution images and the images viewed arerelatively low resolution images.
 3. The method of claim 2, furthercomprising the step of providing a high resolution print from a digitalimage located at the unique user ID.
 4. A method of accessing acollection of digital images stored at an event share memory storagelocation at a network service provider among a plurality of userswithout the need for said service provider or any one of said pluralityof users having to notify any of the others in the group of saidplurality of users, comprising the steps of: a) registering an eventwith said network photo service provider; b) assigning an event specificURL to the registered event which identifies said share image memorylocation; c) transferring a set of digital images to the event specificURL; d) providing to said plurality of users access a transaction cardbearing the event specific URL; and e) employing the event specific URLto access the images among said group of users.
 5. The method claimed inclaim 4, wherein the step of providing user access comprises providing atransaction card bearing the event specific URL.
 6. The method claimedin claim 4, wherein the transaction card further includes a password foraccessing the digital images.
 7. The method claimed in claim 4, furthercomprising the step of providing access on the event specific URL to aprofessional photographer specific URL containing digital images.
 8. Themethod claimed in claim 4, wherein the transaction card includes printedadvertising.
 9. The method claimed in claim 4, wherein the digitalimages are from a scanner or an electronic camera.